Forum Flash | Private donors step up as government steps out

John and Laura Arnold

Private citizens have stepped up while the federal government has stayed shut down to provide important services to children in need, as well as offering up basic decency to the families of soldiers who have died for their country.

John and Laura Arnold of Houston, Texas, donated $10 million to the National Head Start Association to keep Head Start programs in six states running: Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Mississippi.

The New York Times said the couple earned billions in a hedge fund founded by Mr. Arnold, and quoted the couple explaining their very generous donation: "We believe that it is especially unfair that young children from underprivileged communities and working families pay the price for the legislature's collective failures."

At least the Arnolds had the Head Start children's backs.

For the families of the fallen, it was the Fisher House Foundation of Bethesda, Md., that provided while the U.S. House of Representatives diddled and fiddled.

The Fisher group is covering the $100,000 payments of the "death gratuity" normally extended by the federal government to families who have lost relatives in the service, until the feds can reimburse the foundation.

"After losing a loved one in service to our nation, these families should not have to endure more pain as the result of political squabbling," Ken Fisher, foundation chairman, told NBC News.

Folks, their generosity is admirable and welcome. But the donors are correct to note that political squabbling should not deprive our most vulnerable citizens, and those who have given more than anyone else, from services their government - our government - should be providing.

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Forum Flash | Private donors step up as government steps out

Private citizens have stepped up while the federal government has stayed shut down to provide important services to children in need, as well as offering up basic decency to the families of soldiers